Truth-torn Flesh
't start out with a project. For that matter, I didn't even start out with a goal. I've found that a lot of people tend to start out that way, in body modification. No real idea of why they're doing it or, if they do, a pretty shallow reason. It looks cool, it's supposed to make sex better, something like that. I was fortunate enough to know those were not my reasons... even if I didn't really understand why I had the urge to let someone stick a large hollow needle through my flesh. I needed it done. Not 'wanted.' It wasn't really a choice. I suppose I should explain that, by nature, I'm a rather spiritual person. However, I'm definitely not spiritual or religious in a "traditional" manner. It's hard to be traditionally spiritual when you're an atheist and you don't believe in an immortal soul. To compound things, people tend to think I worship the devil and hate all things which are 'good' and 'pure.' This is, naturally, rather inaccurate, but that doesn't stop people from assuming. I'm a Satanist, you see, and people have a lot of misconceptions about Satanism as a whole. Like we're misled, for example. This, especially, isn't true. Like all religions and spiritualities, we have our views and our outlooks on life, but as a whole we attempt to find the most honest, self-enlightening, and happiest way to go through life. Which is where the piercings come in to play.
My first piercing was my tongue 12 gauge, later stretched to 10.
When I got it done, I had a vague notion of why I needed it done. In
hindsight, I understand my motivations much better. In short, it was a
psychological challenge to myself. Needles and pain have both been something
that I've attempted to avoid in life. The challenge was to face both fears
and overcome them to let a complete stranger place a large, long needle
through a very thick and sensitive piece of flesh. So, courage firmly balled
up and placed in a (hopefully) conveniently-reachable spot, off to the
piercer's I went.
I was very proud of myself afterwards. Even though
the piercing had been pretty run-of-the-mill, as far as tongue piercings go,
it had been a major psychological hurdle overcome. I now knew, without any
doubt, that I could willingly submit myself to my worst fears in order to
gain an ultimate desire. Point proven, lesson learned, and the end of body
modification for me.
For five months.
In the following April, I
had that feeling again. I set a bet with myself another challenge, another
weakness of will to be overcome. I've always hated working out, and never have
been able to hold an exercise routine more than a few days before dropping it.
The legacy of being a computer tech, I suppose if it doesn't move at light
speed, it doesn't keep my attention. This time the challenge was to keep up an
exercise routine for 30 days straight, with no forgetfulness or excuses. If I
succeeded, I got the new piercing. If not....well, I obviously wasn't
strong-willed enough for my tastes. But, after 30 days I was still going, and
off to the piercer's I went. Hurdle number two, accomplished.
Another
five months passed, and again the feeling came. By now, I was noticing a
pattern. Almost every religious holiday that passed, I had the urge to get a
piercing. Which, in and of itself, is not that stunning, but it definitely
started me thinking. Psychological self-development and conscious
psychological self-conditioning is a large part of Satanic "spiritual work."
Some people sing hymns, we work on strengthening and expanding our physical
and mental abilities. Both piercings I'd had thus far were
spiritual/psychological in nature something weak about myself, which had to
be overcome. Each piercing was by nature an obstacle pain, bleeding, torn
skin, potential infection. Each piercing was a visible mark upon myself that
YES, I had faced that part of myself and defeated it. Even if the world at
large did not understand the importance of that bar through my skin, I did.
And I was proud to show it off.
This is when I decided on my
"project." A piercing (or multiple piercings) related to each sensory organ.
The symbolism behind this is the search for truth a difficult, long, and
often painful process in and of itself, as any seeker can tell you. And, much
like a piercing, the truth marks you inside, with enlightenment and sorrow,
instead
of outside with bars and metal rings.
So again I was
pierced, this time in celebration of my 21st birthday (one's birthday is a
high holiday in Satanism, and mine naturally falls near the Autumn Equinox as
well), and a renewed dedication to my chosen pathway in life. Twin vertical
labrets, through my lower lip. Small steel fangs, in a manner of speaking
the Serpent's Wisdom is a key part of the Satanic mythos. I have one piercing
left to complete the set a septum piercing, scheduled for the next major
holiday, Samhain (Halloween). When it is finished, the set will be done:
seeking truth, no matter how painful, through all my senses, in all my world.
Truth in hearing, truth in sight, truth in speech and taste, truth in touch,
and even truth in scent.
And when people say, "Doesn't it hurt?", I
smile and say, "Yes, but it's worth it."
Truth is worth a little
pain.
Details
submitted by: Anonymous
on: 25 Oct. 2000
in
Ritual
Artist: +
Studio: +
Location: Oklahoma+City%2C+Oklahoma